"Workers Rights Watch" (WRW) voted Van den Berg RoseS Kenya overall winner of 2008. WRW is the Kenyan Human Rights Commission.
The primary goal of WRW is to promote opportunities for employees to obtain decent and productive work in condition of freedom, equity, security, human dignity and forge a new consensus between business and labour to address the social consequences of globalization as well al corporate social responsibility and environmental.
The assesment of WRW was based on information gathered from employees, a number of managers, neighbouring opinion leaders, political and religious leaders, job seekers being asked which farm they felt was best to work in, trade Unions leaders and government officials (Ministry of Labour).
The flower industry today is characterized by short term contracts of between one and eight months and subcontracts, often paying specific tasks and thus wage and social benefits are not paid. Flower agribusiness is an important source of employment for thousands of workers.
In awarding marks, Van den Berg RoseS lead in:
-cooperatate social responsibility: voluntary action to both workers and neighbourhood communities during post-election violence by providing shelter and food.
-human rights standards: job security, disciplinary practices, freedom of association, maternity protection among others.
-occupation health and safety: protective clothing, training of sprayers.